Acta Non Verba

Richard Kaufman, known as The Comeback Coach and host of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast 2.0, sits down with Marcus Aurelius Anderson to talk about what happens when the identity you built your whole life around is taken away. Richard shares how he went from being thrown out of the military for addiction to being named Soldier of the Year, and how losing his vision and his uniform in 2012...

In this solo episode, Marcus Aurelius Anderson introduces his newly released book Acta Non Verba , drawing on his harrowing personal story of being paralyzed from the neck down and flatlining twice on the operating table. He reads from the book's opening section on adversity, laying out his core philosophy: that adversity is the ultimate catalyst for change, the gateway to self-awareness, and the...

George Bryant sits down with Marcus Aurelius Anderson for a conversation about what happens when you survive a childhood no child should survive, serve 13 years in the Marine Corps, build a seven-figure business, and then realize none of it filled the void. George shares his story of growing up in Massachusetts surrounded by addiction and abuse, nearly losing his legs in Somalia, attempting to tak...

In this episode of Acta Non Verba, Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Leigh Martinuzzi, host of The Hidden Why Podcast and a multi-award-winning real estate entrepreneur from Australia's Sunshine Coast. They explore how a suicidal brother led Leigh to podcasts, how a radical move to Japan reshaped his understanding of freedom, and how the loss of his father forced him to slow down and realign...

Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with bestselling author, high-performance coach, and podcast host Chad Hyams for a wide-ranging conversation about living with authenticity and taking massive action. Chad shares unforgettable stories from his time behind the scenes of the world's largest production show in Las Vegas, his TEDx experience, the philosophy behind his Question Ladder, and how a drunk...

Marcus Aurelius Anderson breaks down the philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli, focusing on fortuna versus virtue, using excerpts from his upcoming book, Acta Non Verba: Transforming Adversity into Victory (out 10/13/2026). He explores how Machiavelli's concepts of luck and personal will apply to leadership, adversity, and resilience today, closing with reflective "Acta Non Verba" questions for...

What could your mind do with just a few moments of silence? This week Robert Greene explores the liberation that comes from practicing enlightenment through silence, and how recognition of death tragedy help him manage adversity in his daily life. Listen in as we discuss why manipulation is part of our makeup, why recognizing our failings makes us better people, and how a near-encounter with death...

Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Adam J. Johnson, a 13 year Army veteran, combat medic, drill sergeant, and discipline coach, for a raw conversation about identity, addiction, and discipline. Adam traces his path from a directionless ex athlete who gained weight up to 275 lbs, to a personal trainer struggling after the 2008 recession, to a 28 year old Army enlistee who became a decorated NC...

Marine veteran Akshay Nanavati joins Marcus Aurelius Anderson to discuss how he turned PTSD, addiction, and a suicide attempt into a life defined by extreme self-mastery. He survived 17 days in total darkness and dragged a 420-pound sled 500 miles solo across Antarctica, losing fingers to frostbite along the way. They discuss method acting as a tool for identity construction, the value of choosing...

In this episode of Acta Non Verba, Marcus Aurelius Anderson talks with Stefanos Sifandos, an author and transformational advisor. They discuss closing the gap between outer success and inner freedom. Stefanos shares his own journey through childhood bullying, addiction, and self-worth struggles. He explains how self-forgiveness, radical honesty, and genuine relational connection create lasting tra...

Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Brent LaJeunesse, a former street cop, entrepreneur, and corporate director of special investigations. They dig into adversity, physical reinvention after 50, and what genuine leadership looks like across three high-stakes careers. Brent shares the frameworks he developed along the way and explains why forging yourself first is the foundation for everything...

In this episode, host Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Claude Silver, the world’s first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and author of "Be Yourself At Work." Together, they explore the power of authentic leadership, building resilient workplace cultures, and the importance of empathy and self-awareness in professional growth. Episode Highlights: [0:49] Introduction to Claude Silver and...

This week Rich Diviney delves into his latest work, 'The Masters of Uncertainty,' which offers strategies for managing stress and performing under pressure. Rich shares the importance of understanding and deconstructing attributes, the concept of dynamic subordination in teams, and the critical role of trust. The conversation also touches on the neuroscience behind dealing with uncertainty, the pr...

Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Ed Hinman, Marine infantry officer veteran, public figure protection specialist, historian, and author of The Barbarian in You . Ed shares how his time at the Naval Academy, deployments across Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Africa, and a pivotal reckoning with ego and identity led him to build a life around three core principles: vigor, wonder, and fellows...

Are you inspired by the courage and strength of our nation's heroes? This week on Acta Non Verba join us in exploring the mission of Debbie Lee, an author, public speaker, political activist and Gold Star Mom who has spent her life honoring our troops and military families. In response to her son's last letter home to "pass on the love, the kindness, the precious gift of human life," she founded A...

On today’s episode Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu shares the journey of consistency and balance as a Muay Thai fighter. Listen in as Sylvie and I explore how she became passionate about the sport, the biggest challenges of living and recording a life-long legacy, and the intense regimen she uses to over adversity one fight at a time. Sylvie also shares how she found the beauty in Muay Thai, and ins...

This week, Rayron Gracie, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and four-time world champion from the famous Gracie family, shares his life journey, discussing his influential family background, his love for writing, and the philosophy of living a life based on actions, not words. The conversation explores Rayron's experiences and insights gained from competing at a high level, the importance of selfle...

In this episode of Acta Non Verba, host Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Sam Alaimo, former Navy SEAL, co-founder of ZeroEyes, writer, and host of the Nobel Podcast. Together, they explore the practical application of philosophy, the power of adversity, the transition from military to civilian life, and the importance of honest introspection. Sam shares his journey from the SEAL teams to en...

This week I’m breaking down why those who want to be high performers find a coach. If you’ve ever considered hiring a coach or mentor to help you accomplish your goals, you won’t want to miss this episode. Listen in as I explore the most compelling reasons athletes and leaders keep coaches close, and how consistent coaching could impact the average person’s time and revenue...

Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Dr. Grace Firestone, a family medicine physician, athlete, and cardiac arrest survivor. Dr. Firestone shares the story of collapsing at 18 years old, spending 10 days in the ICU, and waking up with documented brain injury and compromised heart function. Rather than accepting the limitations placed on her, she pushed forward into college, medical school, and...

Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with bestselling author and creative legend Steven Pressfield in Santa Monica for a wide-ranging conversation centered on Pressfield's new historical fiction novel, The Arcadian . The two explore the novel's ancient mercenary protagonist Telamon, the philosophy of resistance, the role of vulnerability in transformation, and what it means to keep doing the work &m...

In this episode Dr. Megan McElheran, a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with uniformed service personnel delves into Dr. McElheran's development of upstream training programs aimed at preparing military and public safety professionals to manage stress before it becomes overwhelming. Marcus and Dr. McElheran explore the concepts of post-traumatic growth, the importance...

Resilience develops through experience over time. This week Sara McMann reveals how her time spent as a wrestler, Olympian, and MMA competitor prepared her to be successful in the UFC. Listen in as Sara and I discuss how to identify and capitalize on natural skills, why being stubborn is a trait for success, and how being selective when having a competitive mindset can help you hone your abilities...

In this episode Christopher Sommer shares how language impacts logic, the biggest complaint with CrossFit and athletes, how to understand what you actually control. Listen in as we explore what he’s learned from top business professionals, serving his ideal client, and how he’s taking his mission to the next level. Coach Christopher Sommer is a world-renowned gymnastics instructor and...

In this episode Christopher Sommer shares the science behind building a gymnastic body, how he helps individuals perform at a world class level, and how to stop waiting for others to confirm your success. Listen in as we explore what gets him excited about a challenge and how he motivates his team and himself. Coach Christopher Sommer is a world-renowned gymnastics instructor and long-time US Jr N...